JP4908682B2 - Static mixer, apparatus with mixer structure forming static mixer, and method of using static mixer - Google Patents

Abstract

A static mixer includes a plurality of mixing chambers for mixing at least two flowable components. The mixing chambers are arranged one behind the other as well as adjacently in a tube along a tube axis. The mixer includes basic mixing chambers and modified mixing chambers. Basic mixing chambers are bounded off from one another by radial walls oriented in the direction of the tube axis and by end walls transverse to the tube axis. Apertures in the radial walls form inputs and outputs between adjacent chambers for the components to be mixed. Modified mixing chambers have structural modifications relative to the basic mixing chambers. In one embodiment, the modification includes adding inclined walls. In another embodiment, the modification includes changing the longitudinal dimension of the chamber relative to the basic mixing chamber.

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a static mixer, a device comprising such a mixer and the use of the mixer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A static mixer that mixes at least two flowable components in a compact, simple and material-saving mixer structure but produces excellent mixing results is a European patent. It is described in publication EP-A-0 749 776 and European patent publication EP-A-0 815 929. These mixers are suitable for mixing highly viscous substances such as sealants, for example two-component foams or two-component adhesives. They can be produced economically by injection molding from thermoplastic resins and can therefore be applied economically for disposable use. This type of “throw-away mixer” is mainly used for products that cure. This is because these products do not actually allow the mixer to be cleaned.
[0003]
The mixing results of the mixers shown are insufficient for individual applications, especially when mixing components having different viscosity values. An inadequate mixing result is that at least one flow filament composed of only one of the components to be mixed passes through the mixer structure and in effect does not actually mix with the adjacent flow filament Or it is obvious that the mixing is too slow. This type of flow filament is referred to herein as “mix-resistant”. Mixed resistive flow filaments occur in particular in static mixers, in which elementary mixing chambers with a continuous mixer structure are configured in succession. However, mixed resistive flow filaments can also be observed in non-periodic mixer structures.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The object of the present invention is to produce a static mixer with improved mixing results compared to known mixers. This object is met by a static mixer as defined by claim 1.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The static mixer includes a plurality of mixing chambers that form a mixer structure. The mixing chambers are arranged side by side and further adjacent to each other along the axis of the tube. They can be used for mixing at least two flowable components. The mixer structure exhibits a modification of the basic structure. In said basic structure, the mixing chamber is confined from each other by a radial wall oriented in the axial direction of the tube and a wall transverse to the axis of the tube. The apertures between adjacent chambers in the radial wall form the inlet and outlet portions of the components to be mixed. Deformation consists of structural changes at individual positions of the basic structure. This is done so that the component flows are mixed as a result of the lateral displacement of the mixed-resistant flow filaments, which are resistant to the basic structure. is there.
[0006]
Due to the lateral displacement of the mixed resistive flow filament, the latter enters a strongly deformed region, thereby having excellent miscibility. The displaced flow filaments are replaced by each other, which in turn is largely separated from the mixing process. Therefore, it is advantageous to set such disturbance locations that cause displacement of the individual mixed resistive flow filaments at multiple locations in the static mixer. It is also advantageous to form the disturbance positions differently.
[0007]
The disturbance location has a detrimental effect on the mixing process of the flow region that is generally outside the mixing resistant flow filament. In this case, it is advisable to provide as many disturbance positions as are necessary for a sufficient number of displacements of the mixed resistive flow filament.
[0008]
The disturbance location does not act directly on the mixed resistive flow filament, but can be configured to act indirectly in that it causes a deflection in the directly affected area, which affects the mixed resistive flow filament. Appropriate disturbance location design can be found empirically. It is possible to perform experiments with different color components to be mixed and compare the result of the basic structure with the result of deforming the basic structure to determine if the mixed resistive flow filament is actually displaced .
[0009]
Dependent claims 2 to 6 relate to advantageous embodiments of the static mixer according to the invention. Apparatus and use with such a mixer are the subject of claims 7 and 8 and claim 9, respectively.
The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In FIG. 1, the device 100 is indicated by a dashed line. The latter includes a static mixer 1 whose mixer structure 1 ′ forms a regular undeformed basic structure 1 ″. The mixer structure 1 ′ is shown as a side view. From EP-A-0 749 776 and EP-A-0 815 929, the basic structure 1 ″ is described in two different ways. That is, the basic structure 1 ″ is composed of a plurality of mixing elements arranged side by side in the pipe 10 or a bundle of strings having four chambers, and the mixing chamber 8 ("Mix-active chambers") extends between the two closed ends 4a and 4b in each case. Each mixing element is provided with two axial sections, at least one partition web respectively (web) 2 and 3 (radial wall) is, for subdividing the interval associated with each section. The partition webs 2, 3 intersect each other and subdivide the cross section of the tube into equal sized sub-areas. The sub-zone is opened or covered by deflection discs 4. Further details are recognized in the drawing, in particular in FIG. 6, which shows the basic structure 1 ″ without deformation with the mixing chamber 8 shown generally.
[0011]
The mixing chamber 8 of the basic structure 1 "has no installations, is of equal size and is offset with respect to each other. Two inlet parts 6a, 6b and two outlet parts arranged in an alternating order 7a, 7b form the connection of four adjacent chambers, two lateral reinforcing walls 5 extending over the entire length of the mixer 1.
[0012]
The apparatus 100 includes a two-chamber container 100a having chambers 101 and 102, that is, a cartridge. The latter serves to receive the two flowable components A and B separately. A and B can be pushed into the tube 10 via the output of the container 100a by the pistons 111 and 112 (arrows A ′, B ′). After mixing A and B in the static mixer 1 consisting of the tube 10 and the mixer structure 1 ′, the mixture exits the device 100 through the nozzle 120. The cartridge 100a can include three or more chambers. The tube 10 can be formed as a tube portion that can be placed on the cartridge 100a.
[0013]
A section taken along line II-II is shown in FIG. Two components A and B having the same viscosity value flow through the mixer structure 1 '. The arrows in the mixing chamber 8 indicate flow paths (the “cross circle” and the “point circle” mean downward and upward arrows, respectively, with respect to the plane of the figure). The flow pattern is drawn according to the result of the numerical simulation. As can be seen, the flow filament appears as a layer of similar thickness. This means that it is well mixed.
[0014]
FIG. 3 shows a diagram corresponding to FIG. Here, the viscosity values of the two components A and B differ 100 times. Component B having the lower viscosity forms a very narrow layer. This is because this component flows faster. The flow filament propagates irregularly. Further irregularities are generated particularly strongly in a cross section perpendicular to the cross section shown. These irregularities result in poor mixing.
[0015]
As a result of the disadvantages presented by the mixing process, mixed-resistant flow filaments arise against the undesirable effects directed to the means according to the invention that can be seen in the mixed product. These means are in the form of deformation of the basic structure and have been successful. Two successful cases with one variant 9 in each case are shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 and FIGS. 5 and 8, respectively. The mixer structure shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 is shown with only one reinforcing wall 5 in order to better recognize the basic features.
[0016]
The deformation 9 according to FIGS. 4 and 7 is formed by an inclined web 91 in the mixing chamber 8 ′ inclined with respect to the axis 11 of the tube or the axis of the mixer structure 1 ′. The web 91 connects the inlet portion 6b with the outlet portion 7a on the radial wall 2 so that the flow is deflected by the web 91 in a direction from the tube wall 10 toward the tube axis 11 (arrow 91 '). The reverse is also possible. That is, the web 91 deflects the flow from the tube axis 11 toward the tube wall 10.
[0017]
The variant 9 according to FIGS. 5 and 8 is formed by shortening the length of the three adjacent chambers 81, 82 and 83 and at the same time reducing the number of inlets or outlets. Here, a pair of chambers 81 and 82 existing in the front-rear direction along the axis 11 of the tube is disposed laterally with respect to the third chamber 83. The two ports 7c and 92 create a connection between the two chambers of the pair 81, 82 (arrow 92 ').
[0018]
The deformation 9 advantageously comprises a plurality of disturbing positions with deformation elements 91 (first deformation) or 81, 82, 83, 92 (second deformation), each of which is regular over the entire length of the static mixer 1 It is preferable to arrange in. The not-shown combination of each of the two deformation elements 91 and 81, 82, 83, 92 is particularly advantageous.
[0019]
Further possibilities for deforming the basic structure are summarized and illustrated in FIG. That is, a) notched wall pieces 93, 94 and 95 that cause a bypass flow (arrows 93 ′, 94 ′ and 95 ′), and b) an additional web 96 which narrows the passage between the mixing chambers 8.
[0020]
Finally, FIG. 10 schematically shows the mixed resistant flow filaments 30 and 31 for the cross section of the static mixer 1. The outline of these flow filaments is not as clear as the figure. They are toothed to diffuse and are placed in further enclosures 30 'and 31', respectively.
[0021]
The mixer structure 11 'of the described embodiment is advantageously formed integrally in each case, and can be injection molded in particular with a thermoplastic resin. The mixer structure 11 'has a rectangular cross section and comprises four chamber strings arranged adjacent to each other. Each string forms a series of 5 to 15 mixing chambers 8. Each chamber 8 of the basic structure has a length of 1.5 to 2.5 times the width of the chamber, this width being greater than 1 mm and less than 10 mm, preferably at least 2 mm and a maximum of 5 mm.
[0022]
The apparatus 100 is suitable for mixing a very viscous component A with at least one further component B, whose viscosity can be from 1/10 to 1000 times. The mass flow rate of this further component can be several times, for example 10 times, less than the mass flow rate of the higher viscosity component.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a static mixer having a regular undeformed mixer structure that represents the basic structure.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a mixing process drawn according to the results of a numerical simulation.
FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 for mixing two components with very different viscosity values.
4 is a first variant of the basic structure shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a second modification.
6 is a perspective view of the basic structure of FIG.
7 is a basic structure with a first variant according to FIG. 4;
8 is a basic structure with a second variant according to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a further example of deformation.
FIG. 10 is a diagram of the generation of mixed resistive flow filaments.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Static mixer 1 'Mixer structure 1 "Basic structure 2 Web / radial wall 3 Web 4 Deflection board 5 Reinforcement wall 6 Inlet part 7 Outlet part 7c Port 8 Mixing chamber 9 Deformation 10 Pipe / tube wall 11 Pipe axis 11' Mixer Structure 30 Flow Filament 30 ′ Enclosure 31 Flow Filament 31 ′ Enclosure 81 Chamber / Deformation Element 82 Chamber / Deformation Element 83 Chamber / Deformation Element 91 Web / Deformation Element 91 ′ Arrow 92 Mouth / Deformation Element 92 ′ Arrow 93 Wall Piece 93 'Arrow 94 Wall piece 94' Arrow 95 Wall piece 95 'Arrow 96 Web 100 Device 100a Container / cartridge 101 Chamber 102 Chamber 111 Piston 112 Piston 120 Nozzle

Claims (10)

Of the at least two flowable components (A, B), forming a mixer structure (1 ′), arranged side by side and adjacent to each other in the pipe (10) along the pipe axis (11) A static mixer (1) comprising a plurality of mixing chambers (8) used for mixing, wherein the mixer structure (1 ') is a basic structure (1 ") and a modification of the basic structure (1") (9)
The basic structure (1 ″) is composed of a plurality of mixing elements arranged side by side in the pipe (10) or a bundle of strings having four chambers, the mixing chamber ( 8) extends between two closed ends (4a) and (4b), said mixing element comprising two axial sections, at least one partition web (2, 3) in each section Subdivide the relevant interval,
The partition webs (2, 3) intersect each other and subdivide the cross section of the tube into sub-areas of equal size, the sub-areas being opened or covered by a deflector (4);
In the basic structure (1 ″), the mixing chamber (8) consists of radial walls (2, 3) oriented in the axial direction of the tube and walls (4, 4a) transverse to the axis of the tube. 4b) and the ports in the radial wall between adjacent chambers form the inlet part (6a, 6b) and the outlet part (7a, 7b) of the components to be mixed. ,
The deformation (9) consists of structural changes at individual positions of the basic structure (1 ″) and is a mixing resistance to the basic structure so that the component flows are mixed, the mixer structure is periodic A lateral displacement of the mixed resistive flow filament (30) occurring in a static mixer in which similar basic mixing chambers are continuously constructed, or in an aperiodic mixer structure,
The pipe axis () so that the flow is deflected by the web in the direction from the pipe wall (10) to the pipe axis (11), or vice versa, from the pipe axis to the pipe wall (10). 11) by a web (91) which is inclined with respect to 11) and connects (91 ') the inlet (6b) to the outlet (7a) in the mixing chamber (8') on the radial walls (2, 3) deformation (9), characterized in Rukoto formed at least partially, still mixers.   The mixing chamber (8) of the basic structure (1 ″) is a chamber of equal size with no installations, two inlet portions (6a, 6b) and two outlet portions (7a, 7b). 2. A static mixer according to claim 1, characterized in that they are arranged offset relative to one another so as to form connections to four adjacent chambers. Said deformation (9) is formed by shortening the length of three adjacent chambers (81, 82, 83) and at the same time reducing the number of inlets or outlets, along the axis (11) of the tube A pair of chambers (81, 82) arranged at the front and back forms two of the chambers, and a third chamber (83) arranged transversely to the pair of chambers has two ports ( Static mixer according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that a connection (92 ') is created between the two chambers of the pair via 7c, 92). The static mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the mixer structure (1 ') is integrally formed, in particular injection-molded with a thermoplastic resin. Said mixer structure (1 ') has a square or rectangular cross section and comprises four adjacently arranged chamber strings, each string forming a series of 5 to 15 chambers (8). , Each chamber of the basic structure (1 ″) has a length 1.5 to 2.5 times the width of the chamber, this width being greater than 1 mm and less than 10 mm, preferably at least 2 mm and at most 5 mm The static mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the static mixer is provided. Comprising a multi-chamber container (100a) which separately receives at least two flowable components (A, B) which can be pushed through the outlet part of the container into the tube part (10) arranged on the container, Device (100), characterized in that it comprises a mixer structure (1 ') arranged in a part and forming with said tube part a static mixer (1) according to any one of claims 1-5 . The chamber (101, 102) of the container (100a) is cylindrical and provided with piston-like means (111, 112), thereby allowing the flowable components (A, B) to be pushed out of the chamber. Device according to claim 6 , characterized in that it can. 8. Use of a static mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the high viscosity component (A) is mixed with at least one further component (B). The use of the static mixer according to claim 8 , wherein the high viscosity component (A) has a viscosity 10 to 1000 times that of the component (B). Use of a static mixer according to claim 8 , characterized in that the mass flow rate of the further component (B) is several times smaller than the mass flow rate of the high viscosity component (A).

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